Improvement in horse-rakes



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Lette/rs Pate'ittNo. 89,950, dated May l1, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT vtnv HORSE-RAKES.

l f4-wh- The Schedule referred t in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it 'may concern Be it known that we, ERAsrUs R. SPEAR and WIL- LIAM I. SPEAR, of Orland, in the eountv of Steuben,

l description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, iorniing part of this speoication, in which- Figure l is a top or plan view oi' our improved rake.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section oi theV saine, taken through the line a: x, iig. l.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Our invention relates to improvements in horse hayrakes, and consists in the arrangement of the parts by which the rake is operated to'dnnip the load, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

A are the wheels, which revolve upon the journals of the axle B.

C are the thills, the rear parts oi' which are attached to the axle B in such a way that their rear ends niay project in the rear of the'said axle sniiiciently to allow the forward ends of the side Vdraw-bars D to be pivoted to them.

The thills O, in front of the axle B, are connected and held in their proper relative l positions by the draw-barE and foot-bar F, as shown `in 1.

.G is a bar, which is attached to the middle part of the draw-bar E. and axle B, in such away that its rear end may project in the rear of the axle B, to receive the forward ends of the two parallel draughtbars H, which are pivoted to it, as shown in iig. l

I is the rake-head shaft, to which the teeth J are attached in the ordinary manner, and which is pivoted to the rear ends of the side draught-bars D, and to the rear ends of the two` central draught-bars lil.A

To the middle part' of the shaft I, between the rear endsof the'two central draught-bars H, is rigidly attached a short finger, K, which is made in about the shape shown in iig. 2; that is to say, it is a little broader at its middle part than the thickness of the shaft I, from which middle point it graduallyy tapers to a point upon each side of the said shaft, the said tooth being parallel with the teeth J.

L is a fork or foot, madein about the shape shown in fig. 2, vwhich. rides upon the tooth or iinger K, and is securely and rigidly attached to the rear end of the lever M.

The lever M is pivoted to and between the central draught-bars H, at such a distance labove the shaft I, that as the upper or free end of the lever M is moved in one or the other direction the proper distance, the point or end of the tooth K may be allowed to pass one or the other arm ofthe foot L, as may be desired; or, b v moving the lever M a less distance in either direction, one or the other arm oi' the foot L may be made to bear upon one or the other end ofthe iinger K, so as to raise the forward ends oi' the teeth J to pass over obstructions, or the rear ends of said teeth, to allow the inachine to be conveniently backed.

The upper or forward end of the level' M extends up into such a position that it may be conveniently operated by the drivert'roin his seat N.

'.lo journals formed upon or attached to the ends of theshai't I are attached small wheels O, which diminish the friction in operating the rake, and also enable the `machine to be backed when necessary.

P are bars, one end of each oi' which is pivoted to the thills C, near t-he draw bar E, and upon the other ends of which are formed hooks, which hook int-o holes d in the rear parts of the side draught-bars D, when the rake-head is raised above the axle B, so as to support the rake-head in an elevated position when passing from place to place.

The lever M, foot L, and iinger or toot-h K, are so constructed and arranged, that when left free, they will automatically hold the rake-head I J in proper workingqjosition.

To deposit the collected hay, all that is necessary is to slightly lower the forward end of the lever M, depressing the forward ends oi' the teeth J, so that they may catch upon the ground, and revolve the rake-bead. The foot L,vas the rear teeth move forward into working-position, catch the iinger K, and hold the said rake-head until again released, by again operating the levers M.

Having thus described our invention,

\Ve claim as new, and desire to secure by lLetters Patent rIhe lever M, carrying the forked head L, pivoted to and between the curved bars H, whose lower ends embrace the finger or tooth K, upon the rake-head, and whose upper ends are hung to the frame of the machine, all arranged as described, for the purpose specified.

ERASTUS R.SPEA.R, WILLIAM 1?.SPEAR. Witnesses:

M. D. WILKINs, S. L. WHI'rAKER. 

